DOH reports 7,217 new COVID-19 cases as Mindanao infections surge

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 7,217 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, June 3, 2021, bringing the national tally to 1.25 million.

The country's death toll increased by 199 to 21,357, while recoveries rose by 3,483 to 1.17 million, leaving 55,790 active cases, 1.4% of which are critical.

Health authorities have noted a sharp spike in infections outside the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly in Mindanao, which has now surpassed Luzon and the NCR in case numbers.

Specific regions in Mindanao show significant growth rates: Northern Mindanao with 64 percent, Davao Region with 67 percent, Soccsksargen with 53 percent, Caraga with 78 percent, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with a 38-percent growth rate.

The average daily COVID-19 cases over the past seven days reached 6,691, an increase from the previous week's average of 5,214.

Health Director Alethea de Guzman attributed the rising cases partly to the presence of COVID-19 variants of concern and people ignoring health protocols.